Windows 8 Has A New Feature That Will Let Microsoft Blast Apps From Your PC

oft is stealing yet another idea from Apple and Google for its Windows Store: it can wipe apps off your device in response to legal or security problems.

The iOS App Store and the Android Market both have so-called kill switches.

But Windows 8 is different: it runs on PCs, which many users will have as their primary (or only) computing device, and it will probably ship hundreds of millions of units in its first year on the market.

The kill switch is a prominent item in Microsoft's Windows Store terms of use. In big bold letters, the second paragraph warns about it and then later delves into more detail:

Can Microsoft remove apps or data from my device? We may change or discontinue certain apps or content offered in the Windows Store at any time, for any reason....In cases where your security is at risk, or where we're required to do so for legal reasons, you may not be able to run apps or access content that you previously acquired or purchased a license for. In cases where we remove a paid app from your Windows 8 Beta device not at your direction, we may refund to you the amount you paid for the license.

And what will happen to the data associated with the app it wipes out? Well, you could be hosed there. Microsoft explains:

You are responsible for backing up the data that you store in apps that you acquire via the Windows Store, including content you upload using those apps. If the Windows Store, an app, or any content is changed or discontinued, your data could be deleted or you may not be able to retrieve data you have stored. We have no obligation to return data to you.

The Windows Store will be the exclusive distribution channel for apps that use the Windows 8 "Metro" interface, which is designed for tablets and smartphones, but will also contain some traditional desktop apps.

Microsoft wouldn't confirm if the kill switch applies only to Metro-style apps or if it covers any app in the store. "It's really the early days yet," said a spokesperson. "The terms of use applies to apps that people are creating now. More info will be shared as we get closer to release."